[LAB in Focus] "For Lips, Not Hands"... Development of Hygienic 'Lipsticker'

Sookmyung Women's University Undergraduate Team Led by Professor Moon Jangho
Proposes Innovative Use of Medical-Grade Silicone Gel

A product design developed by university undergraduates aims to solve the hygiene issues associated with communal lipstick testers (samples) used in cosmetics stores. This idea, which addresses both hygiene and accurate color testing, has also achieved recognition at international advertising festivals.

On June 26, Sookmyung Women's University announced that a team named "Lipsticker," led by Professor Moon Jangho of the Department of Public Relations and Advertising and consisting of five undergraduates from the Department of Public Relations and Advertising and the Department of Visual and Media Design, has developed a new type of lipstick color-testing product.

Professor Moon Jang-ho of the Department of Public Relations and Advertising at Sookmyung Women's University (first from the right) and the undergraduate team 'Lipsticker' are taking a commemorative photo. Sookmyung Women's University

The Lipsticker, developed by the research team, is a single-use protective film that can be attached to the lips to test lipstick products. Made from transparent medical-grade silicone gel, it adheres thinly to the surface of the lips, preventing direct contact between the lipstick and the skin. The product features a lipophilic coating on its surface, enabling it to accurately reproduce the color payoff of various lipstick types—such as matte, glossy, and tint—similar to the effect on real lips.

The product size was standardized at 8 cm wide and 3.5 cm high, based on an analysis of lip shapes across different races and genders. Users can attach the Lipsticker to their lips, apply and check their desired color, wipe it off, and then test another color. After use, it can be easily removed. The students selected global cosmetics retailer Sephora as a virtual brand partner and incorporated Sephora’s iconic black-and-white stripe design into the product packaging.

The research team focused on the hygiene issues of lipstick testers shared by multiple people in cosmetics stores. Citing a paper published last year, they explained that viruses and bacteria were found in about 60% of communal testers. Nevertheless, many consumers still applied the products directly to their lips to check the actual color and texture. Testing on the back of the hand or on paper made it difficult to accurately gauge the color payoff as it would appear on the lips.

With this design, the team won the Gold Award in the Product Design category at the international advertising festival "Young Ones ADC," as well as the Bronze Award in the Student Fashion & Beauty category at the "Clio Awards."

This project was conducted as part of Professor Moon’s capstone design course, "Global Creative Lab 1." The students undertook the entire process, including identifying consumer issues, developing brand strategies, designing the product, and even producing prototypes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.